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History of Galena, (Jo Daviess County) IllinoisOur database does not include an historic photo for Galena, (Jo Daviess County) Illinois, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us! 15% - 35% off all Products ยป The Ready Store Local History Notes:The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows: GALENA, a flourishing city and capital of Jo Daviess county, Illinois, on Fevre river, 6 miles from its entrance into the Mississippi river, 450 miles above St. Louis, 180 miles W. N. W. from Chicago, and 250 N. by W. from Springfield. "The river on whose rocky shelf this town is built is more properly an arm of the Mississippi river, setting up between lofty bluffs, around whose base it winds with picturesque effect. The streets rise one above another, and communicate with each other by flights of steps, so that the houses on the higher streets are perched like an eagle's eyrie overlooking the rest and commanding an extensive prospect. Pleasant churches meet the eye, on the first ledge or terrace above the levee, and private residences, wearing an aspect of neatness and comfort, adorn each successive height." (Thompson's Letters.) Galena owes its growth and importance mainly to the rich mines of lead with which it is surrounded in every direction. Considerable quantities of copper are found in connection with the lead. The amount of lead shipped at this place in 1852 was 40,000,000 pounds, valued at $1,600,000. The Fevre river is navigable by steamboats, which make regular passages from Galena to St. Louis, St. Paul's, and other ports on the Mississippi river. The commerce of the place is extensive and rapidly increasing. The total value of exports in 1851 was computed at $1,800,358. A large portion of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota are tributary to this town. It is the western terminus of the Chicago and Galena railroad, which is nearly completed. A branch of the Central railroad from Peru to Galena is about to be constructed. Galena contains 1 bank, and 3 newspaper offices. An error in the spelling and pronunciation of Fevre river, (named from La Fevre, an early French trader,) has given some currency to an unfounded impression that the place is unhealthy. The name of the city is taken from galena, a species of lead ore. Population in 1850, 6004; in 1853, about 8000. Biographies:Arthur Henry Chetlain Biography Arthur Henry Chetlain, jurist, was born in Galena, Ill., April 12, 1849; son of Gen. Augustus L. Chetlain. He was graduated at the University of Wisconsin in 1870, and took a course in natural science at the Universit? Libre, Brussels; receiving the degree B.S. in 1870. He studied law; served as 1st assistant corporation counsel of Chicago, 1891-93, and as judge of the Supreme court of Cook county, II1., from 1894. |
Illinois Facts: Jo Daviess County Facts: Seat: GalenaEstablished: 1827 Formed from: Henry, Putnam
Galena is situated 193 meters above sea level. |